Update #28

The long, slow, grueling world of rehab has begun for Nick. What this means is that progress will most likely be in infant steps (yes, smaller than baby steps), and updates may be less often. But we'll certainly keep you in the loop!

He's in a private room now in the rehab wing at Children's. The team there is working with him on his trunk/torso and neck muscles, and they're seeing good, but slow progress.

He's definitely controlling his tongue more, even on command occasionally. He can turn his head on command, which is great. But he can't respond with Yes/No yet (like, move your head to the right if yes...).

More later…

Update #27

Nick has been moved to the Rehab unit at Children's Hospital, even though he's not in a typical state that they would start rehab. So he's running a bit under the radar there. His regular doctors are still working with him, and some rehab staff have started to as well.

Dwight and Lisa met with Nick's medical team yesterday. Overall they are very encouraged with his subtle progress. He's definitely not in a coma anymore, so they're starting to get a better read on his abilities.

Nick is definitely awake and can track the movement in the room. At times it seems like he's trying to speak, but can't. But his tongue does have more movement. He can also move his arms, but it doesn't seem like he can control them - like he can't reach out and grab something.

One of the most important steps in the rehab process is getting Nick back on a regulated sleep schedule. They basically have to retrain his body to sleep correctly again. (As with any part of life, sleep is so important to our health.) So yesterday they started him on a Melatonin program, which they hope will normalize his sleep cycle.

He definitely seems to be gaining more movement and control over time - but it's very slight. (Remember, this is the Tortoise version of the race, not the Hare!) It's going to be a very long road to recovery.

The doctors will not guess how this will turn out, because (and they admit this) they just don't know. There are so many factors involved that they cannot predict.

What we do know is that between the doctors, his angels, and the great cloud of witnesses, he has the best care in the universe.

Update #26

Nick is still progressing well – baby steps of improvement…

For instance, he’s moving his head back and forth quite a lot and he can move it on command! He is still tracking movement with his eyes but they’re not sure just how much or how clear he can see.

He’s sticking his tongue out even farther, and there is slight movement in his toes, although not on command.

The neurologist has been checking his reflex (ya know the hammer on the knee?) the last few weeks and Nick recently showed signs of reflex for the first time!

He’s being pushed around the ward in a wheelchair twice a day.

They have moved him out of the Intensive Care Unit to Intermediate Care. That’s caused a bit of stress, since the care isn’t quite as acute and it’s a whole new crew to get to know. The good thing is that they moved him because his vital signs have all stabilized! For instance, his body temperature and blood pressure are being regulated by his own body.

This week there will be a big meeting with Nicks’ whole medical team (critical care doctors, neurologist, social worker, rehab folks, etc.).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Thanks to so many helping with child care, house cleaning, meals, and more! And Dwight REALLY thanks the anonymous person who mowed his lawn today!

It would also be nice to have a constant stream of gift cards to them for food and gas. I’ve listed the ones needed below. Please either take them or mail them to the church:

Community Covenant Church
ATTN: Brinkerhoffs
1835 Granite Hills Dr
El Cajon CA 92019
(619) 447-2675

Here are the main places they go:

FOR FOOD:

Costco

Vons/Safeway (not Albertsons)

Whole Foods (only available in stores)

FOR GAS:

Arco

7/11 (gas): You can buy a Convenience Card at a store and put any amount on it

Update #25

Tomorrow marks 5 weeks since Nick was hospitalized. Much has happened to make us thankful for God’s mercy and grace throughout.

Nick continues to slowly come out of the coma, and there were many encouraging signs yesterday!

- The hospital gave Nick a reclining wheelchair and got him out of his room a couple times and took him around ICU

- He’s making a bit of a humming sound

- He’s trying to stick his tongue out on command

Thanks to you for your prayers and support!

A prayer for Nick

A Prayer for Nick.
By Karen J. Murphy Linden

Nothing less than the best
is good enough
no falling short
no coming in second

no near misses
no halfway kisses
bring him all the way home
home to our arms

one breath at a time
one prayer at a time
one wish one hope
one dream one scheme

one knot in a quilt
one flower in a vase
one hand to the heavens
one voice left to raise

one tear and one smile
one step to last mile
no turning back
no leaving the path

lead him all the way back
back to the Light
back to the Love...
Lead him home.

kjml 6/4/07

Update #24

A very good day.

While Nick is still in a coma, he is breathing on his own! Yes, that’s a couple days earlier than expected.

They can see that he’s trying to swallow now.

The physical and occupational therapists came in today and they’re very pleased with Nick’s progress. They confirmed that he can move his right shoulder pretty well, kinda like a shrug.

A very good day, indeed.

Update #23

Nick went in for surgery this morning and had a feeding tube inserted. They did this so he’d receive better nourishment, which will allow them to fully take him off the ventilator, which they hope will happen the middle of next week. He did fine through the surgery.

The cool thing about all this – and this is a direct answer to a prayer of Lisa’s – is that this surgeon, when he does these surgeries, always puts a band around the top of the stomach. This is so those who are immobile won’t vomit and choke to death. But Nick’s doctors talked him out of the doing that, as they are leaning toward a full recovery! How encouraging is that?!

White and red blood cell counts are way back up, so he’s off those meds now.

Nick remains in the coma, with very subtle improvements.

Please pray for strength and endurance for all involved…